Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

[ajgraz]

I'm refurbishing the tub, and keeping this color scheme (sort of an ivory with burgundy stripes; interior will be gray):

The 1979 70hp Merc motor had some kind of reproduction decals on it already, that are faded to nothing:

I am planning to paint the whole motor. Then, I could try to find $200 worth of original stickers, or try to find a decent-looking original cowling off EBAY, or get some good repro decals made ($$$?), or buy an incompete set of $40 repro's off EBAY that don't even look right (and all of these would be that mid-70's-early 80's blue that don't match anything on my boat anyway)...

OR, I could get some inexpensive custom vinyl lettering and some pinstriping and do something like this (lettering/stripes would be like $25-$30 total for the whole cowling...that's my kinda budget ):

WTH, with my budget I'll not get anything that looks factory original, so why not try to do something that matches the boat? Besides, I only worked on that for 1 hour, and IMO that looks better than any decals Mercury ever put on motors from that vintage

So, what do you think of how that looks? Any suggestions for improvement?

Next Q: When I go to sell this whole rig in a few years, think potential buyers would be "put off" by non-factory-looking labeling on the motor? (Guess I could just peel it off and go all-black...which is kind of my "Plan B" anyway if I don't do any labeling)

 

[woosterken]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

the bottom pic looks REAL good
as for resale i would think it would work FOR you , like curb apeal when selling a house

woosterken

 

[bananaboater]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

Looks clean and nice. Good work.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

Ditto...looks great. Any way you can extend the tail/foot of the y in mercury all the way back under the M? like a racing or pinstripe?

 

[lakelover]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

So, what do you think of how that looks? Any suggestions for improvement?

Looks real sharp, simple and to the point, I don't think it would detract from resale value at all.

 

[dude11]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

Hey,if they don't like that job---I'd send'em on down the road--looks great!!!dude11

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

Thanks for the encouragement.

Ditto...looks great. Any way you can extend the tail/foot of the y in mercury all the way back under the M? like a racing or pinstripe?

I did send a .jpg to the online shop with a more custom design, we'll see what the quote is. The simple vinyl "mercury" lettering, already picked and transfer taped, is under $8 a side; if custom is more than $15 a side, it will definitely be simple lettering.

---------------------

EDIT: just thought I'd post in some resources found thru this forum...

Found in this thread:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=410467

Looks like I could get a full set of reproduction graphics for about $100 (plus ship from Canada) from:
http://www.nymarine.ca/mercdeclist.html

The online graphic place I'm looking at was found in this thread:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=409921

http://diylettering.com

I did get a next-day quote of $12.95 for each of these in 2.5" by 18.5":
(Unfortunately my draw program did not have an exact font match for the originals)

So doing some kind of reproduction is somewhat tempting; but in the end I may just go ahead and do the burgundy lettering anyway since I never liked that blue on my boat.

I'll probably be doing some CGI variations to post up for an informal vote

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

I believe I have settled on little white "70" decals and the four silver pinstripes; also for the "mercury" lettering, I have settled on this font, this size, this color combo (burgundy with white outline). Now for the "slant."

What looks best:

No slant to lettering:

Lettering slants right, regardless of port or starboard cowling:

Lettering slants toward bow (so right on starboard, left on port):

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

The original Mercury font was most likely hand lettered by them or a modified existing font so a modern, exact match is highly unlikely. I like the third version w/the alternating italic.

 

[LORDY611]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

Regarding being different, or non-official looking, I say it's a non-issue. The look changes every other year any more. Your idea is great and it looks that way too.
Personally I prefer the slant to the front from either side. You may have a side line in your lap and dont know it yet! Sell your services to local boat owners. Not everyone can paint you know.

 

[guzziprov]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

For what it's worth, I work at a boat dealership and have for many years. They have been a Mercury dealership since the 60's so I have seen almost everything merc has made (old pictures, brochures and lot's of the real thing etc.) so I'm "used" to seeing how they look and I have to say that your design is great! It just "looks" right.

I vote for the last one with the letters slanting forward.

GOOD JOB !

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

Thanks again all, but I think I've come up with something even better:

That font kinda matches up with that older Mercury marine font from the 60's/70's--which looks better, IMO--and which still persists on the label on the front cowling cover.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

I like that one much better.

 

[Big Pete]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

Thanks again all, but I think I've come up with something even better:

That font kinda matches up with that older Mercury marine font from the 60's/70's--which looks better, IMO--and which still persists on the label on the front cowling cover.

superb

 

[scca vette]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

Thanks again all, but I think I've come up with something even better:

That font kinda matches up with that older Mercury marine font from the 60's/70's--which looks better, IMO--and which still persists on the label on the front cowling cover.

I have to say you did a GREAT job. I have been working with signs and graphics for years and owned a sign shop for most of them and I have to say I do not think you could have taken it to a shop and got any better results than what you did. If you would not have said any different I (the average joe) would think they are the factory decals. Again you did a awesome job.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

That is a GREAT looking set of Decals!!! Could not have been done better anywhere, anyhow. Ya Dun GOOD!!!!!

 

[new_boater]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

I have to say you did a GREAT job. I have been working with signs and graphics for years and owned a sign shop for most of them and I have to say I do not think you could have taken it to a shop and got any better results than what you did. If you would not have said any different I (the average joe) would think they are the factory decals. Again you did a awesome job.

best one imho

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

Looks awesome. It will match the boat better as well. Maybe burgandy with the ivory letters. I'm getting my local screenprinter to do my new decals. It will be basically the same as it was except for the colour scheme. It will match my boat better. Nice job on the pics. Very nice.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

Added one final design element, thin horizontal black lines:

Ordered up two of this (looks better in full 2.5" by 18.5" size):

And some little white "70" lettering, and got some silver pinstripe.

Motor is painted and waiting for decals. Will post up when all is done.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Critique my decal idea for my OB cowling

Well, here she is in the flesh:

Can't decide whether to bother putting silver pinstripes just above and below the decal, as in the plan pic in the previous post.